Former President Donald Trump has performed impressively in the U.S. presidential election, while Indian-origin Vice President Kamala Harris lagged behind. The election saw a remarkable presence of leaders of Indian descent, with a total of six Indian-American leaders successfully elected to the U.S. Congress as of the latest reports. Suhas Subramanyam secured a victory from Virginia, while Ami Bera from California, Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois, Ro Khanna from California, Pramila Jayapal from Washington, and Shri Thanedar from Michigan also won seats in Congress.
Previously, the U.S. Congress had five Indian-American members. All five incumbents have been re-elected to the House of Representatives, while Indian-American lawyer Suhas Subramanyam made history as the first person of Indian origin elected from Virginia and the East Coast. Subramanyam defeated Republican candidate Mike Clancy and is currently a state senator in Virginia.
In Arizona’s First Congressional District, Dr. Amish Shah is narrowly leading his Republican rival. If he secures victory, the number of Indian-Americans in the House will rise to seven.
Subramanyam expressed gratitude, saying, “I am honored that the people of Virginia’s 10th district have entrusted me to take on some of the toughest challenges and deliver results in Congress. This district is my home. I got married here, my wife Miranda and I are raising our daughters here, and the issues facing our community are personal for our family. Serving this district in Washington is a privilege.”
Former White House advisor under President Obama, Subramanyam, is a practicing Hindu and widely respected within the Indian-American community nationwide. He joins the “Samosa Caucus,” an informal group of Indian-American members in Congress, which includes Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, and Shri Thanedar.
Shri Thanedar was re-elected from Michigan’s 13th Congressional District for a second term, after initially winning in 2023. Krishnamoorthi, re-elected for the fifth time from Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, acknowledged his parents’ dreams and dedication in coming to America to build a better future.
Krishnamoorthi said, “The battle for control of the White House and Congress is ongoing, but I am honored that the people of Illinois have extended my contract to represent them. Despite some tough times, we made it.” He added, “In Congress, my goal is to fight for all families chasing their dreams, regardless of where they come from, how they worship, or the number of letters in their name… mine has 29.”
Similarly, California’s Ro Khanna and Washington’s Pramila Jayapal, representing the 17th and 7th Congressional Districts respectively, also celebrated victories.
A physician by profession, Dr. Ami Bera, who has represented California’s 6th Congressional District since 2013, is the senior-most Indian-American member in Congress and has been re-elected for a seventh consecutive term.
In Arizona, Democratic candidate Dr. Amish Shah leads Republican incumbent David Schweikert with 132,712 votes to his opponent’s 128,606, with 63% of votes counted so far.